Vaccinating hope: A student pharmacist’s impact during the COVID-19 pandemic
Nicole Sandoval is a third-year PharmD candidate at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy in Gainesville and recently completed the 2023 APhA Carl F. Emswiller Summer Internship in Association Management in Washington, DC.
Entering the world of pharmacy during the outbreak of COVID-19 was truly unpredictable. I found myself at the forefront of the struggle as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens in Miami. Little did I know that this experience would pave the way for my growth as a student pharmacist.
Demand increases as vaccine arrives
During the initial stages of the pandemic, my responsibilities involved ensuring a smooth medication-dispensing process from when the prescription arrived at our counter to when the patient came by to pick up their medication. Many challenges were faced, including adapting to new protocols, maintaining a clean environment, and shifting to mail-order prescriptions to minimize in-person interactions.
However, the real whirlwind began when the COVID-19 vaccine arrived. As the COVID-19 vaccine took center stage, our pharmacy transformed into a busy vaccine center, administering more than 80 vaccines a day. The demand was unprecedented, requiring dedicated personnel to manage the process efficiently. Our pharmacy manager trained certified immunizers in the entire vaccine administration process, including checking patients in, processing insurance claims, obtaining consent, administering the vaccine, and providing post-vaccination guidance. The experience was intense, yet it was incredibly fulfilling to be able to play an important role in safeguarding public health.
New challenge: Working with pediatric patients
The approval of pediatric and toddler vaccines was another challenge the pharmacy faced. Parents and guardians were understandably anxious, especially in light of reports of incorrect vaccines being administered at other pharmacies.
To ensure a smooth and safe experience, we introduced meticulous verification steps. Before administering the vaccine, we confirmed the child’s information and the desired vaccine with the parent/guardian. After confirming the information needed, we would proceed to show the parent/guardian a pamphlet tailored specifically to every patient. We also showed the vaccine syringe being administered to their child. This allowed us to build rapport, gain their trust, and ease any concerns regarding the vaccine.
I remember quickly learning that administering vaccines to toddlers was no simple task. I encountered children who were brave and calm, but more often than not I encountered frightened and anxious toddlers who responded with tears and resistance. This brought me back to memories of when I was a child and feared shots just as much as they did. I was the child that needed to be held down by four nurses to make sure I neither punched nor kicked the physician vaccinating me. Now, being on the other side of the experience and having to administer the vaccine, I was nervous about hurting the child if they ever so slightly flinched or moved their arm.
One vivid memory that left a lasting impact on me was the experience with a scared 3-year-old child. Despite my efforts in trying to comfort them, I struggled to calm them down. Reflecting back on my experience as a child, I knew that nothing I would say would truly make the 3-year-old be at ease. My supervising pharmacist stepped in and demonstrated the techniques to handle a frightened toddler. She taught me the art of quick, efficient, and confident vaccine administration.
Lessons learned
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the trust given to us by the community was both an honor and a huge responsibility. The weight of this responsibility fueled my dedication to serve my community with medication education, counseling, and vaccine administration. As the pandemic progressed, we had to remain vigilant to prevent vaccine fatigue. This meant ensuring that we didn't inadvertently administer the COVID-19 vaccine to patients who came in requesting a different type of vaccine. Our constant administration of the COVID-19 vaccine made it second nature to reach for it, but we had to be mindful and diligent to give patients the right vaccine based on their specific request.
My journey as a pharmacy technician and intern during the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine administration has taught me to remain calm and confident under uncertainty. The challenges faced demanded adaptability, resilience, and dedication to serve the community. As a certified immunizer, I became accustomed to administering vaccines to youth and adults—whether they were brave or terrified. As the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine rolled out, I was quickly humbled to learn the art of confident and quick action in vaccine administration and of building trust with parents and guardians.
As I move forward in my career, I will always carry with me the lessons learned and will remain steadfast in aspiring to make a positive impact on those I serve. The COVID-19 pandemic will forever be a pivotal chapter in my journey, one that molded me into a more confident student pharmacist.